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Trumpet: Lip problem?

This message was contributed by Simon on 3/7/09.
It was in reply to this message: Trumpet: Lip problem?
posted by Steve Whitehead on 1/7/09.

Hi Steve - difficult to say exactly without seeing you but I'd say it sounds like the corners of your chops might be a little on the tight side, particularly if there's no problem when ascending (as they will naturally be more relaxed when you start.) There's two things that might improve it: lots of descending arpeggios downwards to (long) pedal notes to get your face to relax a little. And then just some general mouthpiece (only) buzzing. In any event just remember to keep taking in some air. It's so easy to be obsessed about your 'chops' at the expense of doing the basic things correctly.